This was a petition filed in the supreme court of Louisiana
             in 1896, by Homer Plessy, the plaintiff. He filed this
             petition against the Honorable John H. Ferguson, judge of
             The petitioner was a citizen of the United States and a
             descent meaning he had both white and African American
             ethnic backgrounds. Keep in mind that at this time Blacks
             were not considered equal to whites. Mr. Plessy to be exact
             was seven-eights Caucasian and one-eighth African American
             blood. The amount of African American in his blood was
             hardly discernable to say the least. He therefore felt he
             was entitled to every recognition, rights, privileges,
             and immunities secured to the citizens of the United States
             of the of the white race by its constitution and laws, that
             on June 7, 1892, he engaged and paid for a first class
             passage on the East Louisiana Railway. The trip from New
             Orleans to Covington, in the same state, and thereupon
             entered a passenger train, and took possession of a vacant
             seat in a coach where passengers of the white race were
             accommodated, that such railroad company was incorporated
             by the laws of Louisiana as a common carrier. It was not
             authorized to distinguished between citizens according to
             their race, but, the petitioner was required by the
             conductor, under the penalty of ejection from the white
             car, he was then imprisoned by the conductor aided by a
             police officer, for no other reason than race he was
             imprisoned. With the help of police officers they hurried
             him off the train and took him immediately to the county
             Parish's office. In New Orleans there held to answer a
             charge made by such officer the effect that he was guilty
             of having criminally violating an act of the general
             assembly of the state, approved on July 10,1890, in such
             case made and provided. Mr. Plessy was then brought before
             the recorder of the city for preliminary ex
             ...